Identification of Three Classes of Heteroaromatic Compounds with Activity against Intracellular Trypanosoma cruzi by Chemical Library Screening
2009

New Compounds Against Chagas Disease

Sample size: 2000 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Bettiol Esther, Samanovic Marie, Murkin Andrew S., Raper Jayne, Buckner Frederick, Rodriguez Ana

Primary Institution: New York University School of Medicine

Hypothesis

Can a chemical library screening identify new compounds effective against Trypanosoma cruzi?

Conclusion

Three new compounds were identified that effectively inhibit the growth of Trypanosoma cruzi with low toxicity to host cells.

Supporting Evidence

  • Three compounds were selected for their high activity against T. cruzi and low toxicity to host cells.
  • IC50 values for the compounds were found to be in the low nanomolar range.
  • The compounds also showed high activity against related species Leishmania major and L. amazonensis.

Takeaway

Scientists looked through a big box of chemicals to find new medicines that can help fight a disease caused by a tiny bug, and they found three that work really well.

Methodology

A whole cell-based assay was optimized for high throughput screening of a 2000-compound library against Trypanosoma cruzi.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in selecting compounds based on initial toxicity and efficacy screening.

Limitations

The study primarily focused on in vitro results, and further in vivo testing is needed to confirm efficacy and safety.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pntd.0000384

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